Gymnasts’ high marks top UK
The 10th ranked LSU gymnastics team abolished a previous school record with their victory over Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky, Friday at the PMAC.
The score of 197.500 broke the previous school record of 197.150 set in 1997, while defeating Kentucky’s score of 194.750.
The meet, which bolstered an LSU team on the rise over an outmatched Kentucky team, proved entertaining for LSU fans as the Tigers got off to a strong start in vault and never let up.
The Tigers, fueled by sophomore Kristin Uransky who turned in a career-best score of 9.95 on the vault and claimed the title, ended the first rotation with a score of 49.150, just .050 shy of its season best.
The Tigers did not let up as they moved to the second rotation and destroyed a previous school record of 49.550 with a new record of 49.650.
Behind the performance of senior All-American Beth Boudreaux, who posted a near personal best score of 9.975, the Tigers also received help from Marina Degteva and Sharene Mamby who both posted scores of 9.95.
Uransky continued her hot streak from the first rotation adding a score of 9.90, while Brooke Cazeaux ended the event with a score of 9.875.
After two rotations, the Tigers nabbed the lead over Kentucky at 98.800-97.050 with two events remaining.
The Tigers next victim in the record-breaking night was the balance beam in which they scored a near season best of 49.325. Boudreaux added a second title to her already impressive night, matching her season best on the beam with a score of 9.925.
Meanwhile, Adriene Couret and Lauren Companioni posted scores of 9.85 and Nicki Arnstad added a solid 9.875 as the Tigers did not have a fall for the second week in a row.
The beam, which is always a focus for head coach D-D Breaux and her team, proved essential as the Tigers outscored the Wildcats 49.325-48.400.
“The beam was the pivotal event for us,” Breaux said. “The team that controls the beam usually wins and we were able to do that again tonight. I like the confidence we’re building in that event.”
The Tigers, after nearly sealing the event with their strong performance on the beam, moved to their last event of the evening the floor exercise needing only a 49.050 to break the previous record.
The Tigers easily met that with a score of 49.375, lead by Companioni who won the floor title for the fourth straight week with her score of 9.90.
“We had a good effort tonight,” said Kentucky head coach Leah Little. “We made a few mistakes, but the good thing about that is that we still nearly scored a 195 and we got rid of a low score in figuring our regional qualifying score. We will just go back to the gym and keep working to improve.”
Meanwhile an ecstatic Breaux was thrilled with her teams performance and hopes to continue as the Tigers travel to face No. 1 Georgia Friday. The Georgia meet will mark the second time this season the Tigers have faced a No. 1 team. In week five, the Tigers defeated then No. 1 Utah.
“Reaching 197 is a weight off our shoulders,” Breaux said. “It was a reality check for our girls, they needed to know that we’re really this good. I’ve said all along that this is the best team I’ve ever had and tonight I think they proved it. The level of difficulty and the level that we’re executing at is tremendous right now.”
Patrick Foy